Agate, a banded form of chalcedony, formed billions of years ago in volcanic pockets. In the cooler seasons of the year, storms and waves dislodge agates from gravel beds along the Oregon shoreline. Beachcombers and rock hounds search for stones that range in color from inky black, to vivid fire tones, to rare and valuable blues, to soft greys and misty pinks. In this pattern, striated stones emerge from a sandy background to glow softly under Oregon’s gentle skies.